Celebrate the Past, Support the Future of St. Augustine Church
You may make a gift via credit card or debit card using the form below. If you would prefer to send a gift in the mail, please make your check payable to the Augustinian Fund and mail it to the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, 214 Ashwood Road, Villanova, PA 19085.
An Irish Legacy, A Living Mission
For over two centuries, St. Augustine Church has stood as a witness to both the struggles and the triumphs of those seeking a better life for their spouses and their children in Philadelphia. Founded by Irish Augustinian Friars in 1796, the church became a sanctuary for the poor, the persecuted, and the faithful – especially the Irish immigrants who arrived in search of hope and opportunity.
The Augustinians who labored to establish St. Augustine Parish believed deeply in serving the marginalized, offering spiritual guidance, education, and material support. That tradition of helping those in need and standing with the poorest of the poor remains alive today, and we are committed to staying faithful to that founding mission while building on it: blending the wisdom of our past with innovative ministries, inclusive community engagement, and the transformative power of beauty and the arts.
This is a pivotal moment for St. Augustine Church. As funding for organizations serving the poor and disenfranchised continues to decline, communities like ours must step up to meet the need. The election of Pope Leo XIV – the first American and first Augustinian pope – has brought new attention to the Augustinian charism and the friars’ legacy of care for the most vulnerable. And as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, St. Augustine Church stands at the edge of Independence Mall, uniquely positioned to tell the
story of those often left out of the national narrative: immigrants, laborers, and the faithful poor.
Now is the time to honor our past and invest in a future rooted in compassion, culture, and community. Join us as we prepare St. Augustine Church to meet the not only the current needs of this century, but to serve all those who come after us as a beacon of faith, justice, and belonging.
